Watershed Management

An introduction to the growing literature on traditional ecological knowledge and its relationships to the ecological and social sciences.

This course is a survey of basic issues and concepts in natural resource management and the environment in Native communities using integrated case studies that survey all the major varieties of environmental issues in Indian Country in the 21st century. A central theme will be developing tribally-specific solutions to rebuilding the resiliency of degraded ecosystems. We will consider particular case studies such as: tribal sovereignty, land tenure, reserved rights and Native claims; Native knowledge systems and Western science; co-management and restoration; water; fish and wildlife; agriculture and rangeland management; energy, mining and nuclear waste; and global climate change.

Watershed hydrology looks at how water movement, storage and transformation on the Earth's surface is influenced by landscape characteristics, including human modifications of those characteristics, and weather. As such, watershed hydrology will focus on surface water. However, this course offers a brief introduction to groundwater as it pertains to watershed hydrology.

Introduction to water quality and its influences in natural environments. Interactions with land management and relationships to the larger issues of environmental quality.

An introduction to the growing literature on traditional ecological knowledge and its relationships to the ecological and social sciences. Graduate-level requirements include preparing for and leading a class discussion on a specific topic.

This course is a survey of basic issues and concepts in natural resource management and the environment in Native communities using integrated case studies that survey all the major varieties of environmental issues in Indian Country in the 21st century. A central theme will be developing tribally-specific solutions to rebuilding the resiliency of degraded ecosystems. We will consider particular case studies such as: tribal sovereignty, land tenure, reserved rights and Native claims; Native knowledge systems and Western science; co-management and restoration; water; fish and wildlife; agriculture and rangeland management; energy, mining and nuclear waste; and global climate change. Graduate-level requirements include Increased length of writing assignments.

Watershed hydrology looks at how water movement, storage and transformation on the Earth¿s surface is influenced by landscape characteristics, including human modifications of those characteristics, and weather. As such, watershed hydrology will focus on surface water. However, this course offers a brief introduction to groundwater as it pertains to watershed hydrology. Graduate-level requirement includes required completion of a graduate ¿environmental inquiry¿ through volunteer work. Graduate students will be required to blog about these experiences.

Introduction to water quality and its influences in natural environments. Interactions with land management and relationships to the larger issues of environmental quality. Graduate-level requirements include a class report and presentation on a negotiated topic of interest.

An intensive introduction to the practical application of dendrochronology to paleoclimatology. Graduate-level requirements include synthesis and presentation of analytical results.